Off to Guildford We drove into Hook and had breakfast at an independent coffee shop there, agreeing afterwards that it had been nothing special. After briefly returning to Tylney Hall
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 7: G & Tea
Off to Bombay Once again, the day started with an inclusive breakfast at the Hilton. Today’s plan was to have it at 9am and to eat something closer to a
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 6: Portsmouth
The day started with an inclusive breakfast at the Hilton, which made a nice change from coffee-shop fare. We had beautifully clear blue skies for our day trip to Portsmouth,
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 5: Winchester and More
Onwards to Winchester Today’s breakfast was at Caffè Nero on Marlborough’s High Street, after which it was back to the Premier Inn for showers and packing. Our next destination was
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 4: All Change!
I’m flying – I remember this! We had our Covid-style Holiday Inn Express breakfast, then packed, checked out and caught a Tyne & Wear Metro train to Newcastle Airport. Today
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 3: From Durham back to Newcastle
Farewell walk in Durham Sunday started with another ‘Nero’ breakfast, following which we returned to the hotel for showers and packing. When ready, we headed out for a final Durham
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 2: Getting Reacquainted with Durham
Before lunch We had breakfast at the local branch of Caffè Nero, a few minutes’ walk away via Elvet Bridge and the Market Place. In due course, we set out
England Grand Tour (2021): Day 1: First Border Crossing and Hotel Stay of the Year!
Edinburgh – Newcastle – Durham I left my flat shortly before 1130, bound initially for Edinburgh’s West End tram stop. I had my rollaboard in tow, unbelievably out for its
England Grand Tour (2021): Introduction
For a pair of committed globetrotters such as myself and my Bristol-based friend Bruce, the first four months of 2021 constituted a horrible period. We may not have realised at
May 2021: Edinburgh’s Seven Hills (Part 2)
Introduction This is the second in a series of posts, where I record my visits to the classic ‘Seven Hills of Edinburgh’. Please use the tag ‘Edinburgh’s 7 Hills’ to
April 2021: Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life
Preamble Before proceeding to the destination, I couldn’t help noting that on the last day of April 2021, I was making my first train journey of the year – an
April 2021: East Fife
My second out-of-area jaunt was across the Forth to Fife, and onwards to the most easterly part of what many Scots continue to refer to as “the Kingdom”. (Fife is
April 2021: Eyemouth
As Covid-19 restrictions started to be eased, I was soon spreading my wings to match. First up was a visit to Eyemouth in the Scottish Borders. This attractive east-coast fishing
April 2021: Edinburgh’s Seven Hills (Part 1)
Introduction Open almost any guidebook to Edinburgh and it won’t be long before you encounter these or similar words: Edinburgh, like Rome, is built on seven hills. My reaction tends
April 2021: Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walkway (Part 4)
Belford Bridge to Leith Within 100m of descending the stairs at Belford Bridge, I was being diverted off again, thanks to the latest (and thankfully final) path closure. So instead
April 2021: Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walkway (Part 3)
Slateford to Belford Bridge On proceeding northwest from Slateford, I first covered a short, nondescript section of the walkway, passing the edge of Saughton Cemetery and skirting round a sizeable
April 2021: Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walkway (Halfway Interlude)
Repositioning to Slateford ‘On the Level’ Think of this as the interval in my four-act, Water of Leith adventure. It occurred to me that it might be fun to return
April 2021: Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walkway (Part 2)
Colinton Village While modern Colinton is a substantial suburb of Edinburgh, its original heart on the banks of the Water of Leith is known as Colinton Village. It is an